Where To Go for HelpRecognizing an issue early is always best. Children may show different warning signs for social-emotional issues. If you have a concern talk to your healthcare provider. There are many specialists who may help including:

Pathways.org empowers parents and health professionals with FREE tools and resources to maximize a child’s motor, sensory,

and communication development.

800-955-CHILD (2445) friends@pathways.org

www.pathways.org

Pathways.org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Social-Emotional Skills Impact Daily Life

Early

Social-Emotional Development

FREE tools to maximize child developmentPathways.org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Copy freely.DO NOT CHANGE.

MUST ACKNOWLEDGE PATHWAYS.ORG.

Permission to cite any part of this work must be obtained

from Pathways.org. Materials are provided at no cost;

no fees or charges may be associated with any of the

Pathways.org materials without prior written approval.

© Copyright 2019

Social-Emotional Development Is Important for:

• Understanding thoughts and feelings to help communicate and act appropriately

• Developing healthy relationships with friends and family

These steps help children live happy, successful lives.

Social-emotional skills allow us to express ourselves appropriately in different environments and with different people. Developing these skills helps boost your child’s confidence and can help them in school, work, and life.

• Succeed in school• Make friends and maintain friendships • Resolve conflicts• Manage stress and anxiety• Learn social norms

• Make appropriate decisions• Resist negative social pressure • Learn our strengths and weaknesses • Gain awareness of what others are feeling

• Child psychologist

• Social worker

• Neuropsychologist

• Psychiatrist

• Occupational therapist

• Speech-language pathologist

• Developmental and behavioral pediatrician

Social-Emotional Development Tips

Model the emotions and behavior you want your child to show

Be responsive to your child’s emotions and behaviors. Respond quickly to basic needs to develop trust, e.g. feeding, playing, soothing, and comforting them

Help your child work through negative emotions by asking simple questions, offering choices and avoiding power struggles, e.g. “Would you like to brush your teeth or take a bath first?”

Point out and talk about your child’s emotions and how to cope

Use stories to talk about different social situations and how each person might be feeling

Ask “What would you do?” to help develop problem solving skills

Encourage kids to try new things and learn how much they are capable of

Play games to teach kids how to take turns, win and lose, share, and negotiate

When using screens after 18 months (not recommended earlier), sit with your child and make it a social activity, e.g. asking them questions or playing turn-taking games

Social-Emotional Development By AgeF I R S T Y E A R

0-3 Months 4-6 Months 7-9 Months 10-12 Months

Begins to smile in response to their caregivers, also called a social smile

Develops more facial and body expressions

Can briefly calm themselves, e.g. sucking on thumb

Recognizes they are having fun and may cry when playing stops

Makes eye contact and looks at people while interacting

Is usually happy when surrounded by cheerful caregivers

Responds to and copies some movements and facial expressions

Develops an awareness of their surroundings and expresses a desire to engage, e.g. banging objects or toys

May show anxiety around strangers

Plays social games, e.g. peek-a-boo

Learns the meaning of words when they’re used consistently

Enjoys looking at self in a mirror Becomes more “clingy” when leaving caregiver, e.g. reaches for caregiver when being held by someone else

Attempts to display independence, e.g. crawling for exploration or refusing food

May show fear around unfamiliar people and objects

Tries to get attention by repeating sounds and gestures

Enjoys imitating people in play

1-2 Years 2-3 Years 3-4 Years 4-5 Years

Shows defiant behavior to establish independence, e.g. having tantrums

Does not understand what others think or feel and believes everyone thinks as he does, e.g. gets upset when no longer the center of attention

Enjoys being around other children, but not yet able to share easily

Can play independently for brief periods of time

Copies others in more complex tasks, e.g. cleaning, cooking, self-care

Shows affection towards friends

Shows an increasing variety of emotions

Upset when there are major changes in routine

Seems concerned about personal needs and may even act “selfishly”

Starts cooperating more with others during play, e.g. sharing toys

Can sometimes work out conflicts with other children, e.g. taking turns in small groups

Uses words to communicate needs instead of screaming, grabbing, or whining

Becomes more independent in daily activities, e.g. may choose own clothes to wear

Has more developed friendships and maybe even a “best friend”

More cooperative with rules

Understands and is sensitive to others’ feelings

Understands the difference between real life and make believe

Has changes in attitude, e.g. is demanding at times and cooperative at times

Pathways.org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.Remember to correct your child’s age for prematurity. Please visit www.Pathways.org to find more FREE resources on child development.